Pasig
Also known as: Former capital of Rizal province · City of Pasig · Ortigas Center (the district shared with Mandaluyong)
Definition
Pasig, officially the City of Pasig (Filipino: Lungsod ng Pasig), is a highly urbanized city in Metro Manila, Philippines. It is bounded by Mandaluyong, Marikina, Taguig, Makati, Quezon City, and the municipality of Pateros. Pasig shares the Ortigas Center business district with Mandaluyong and hosts the headquarters of many Philippine corporations, banks, and the Philippine Stock Exchange Tower. It was the former capital of the old province of Rizal until Metro Manila was created in 1975, and became a highly urbanized city under Republic Act No. 7829 (1994).
Identities (Wikipedia/Wikidata/DBpedia)
Also Known As
- Former capital of Rizal province
- City of Pasig
- Ortigas Center (the district shared with Mandaluyong)
Examples and Analogy
Pasig is a dual-personality city: the corporate density of Ortigas Center on one side and the older, riverside communities near the Pasig River and Immaculate Conception Cathedral on the other—comparable to how London blends the City of London with older boroughs.
Usage Scenarios
- Establishing corporate and BPO headquarters in Ortigas Center
- Heritage and religious tourism around the Pasig Cathedral complex
- Wetland recreation and biking at the Pasig Rainforest Park
Strategies
- Transit-oriented development around MRT-3 Ortigas and the under-construction Metro Manila Subway
- Reviving the Pasig River ferry system
- Heritage conservation of the old Kapitolyo and Bahay na Tato districts
Security and Safety Measures
- Pasig City Police and Public Order and Safety Division cover Ortigas Center.
- C-5 Road and Mercedes Avenue monitored by CCTV and traffic enforcement.
- Flood-pumping stations along the Manggahan Floodway and Pasig River.
Historical Context
Founded as a riverside parish town in the Spanish colonial period, Pasig became the provincial capital of Rizal. The Immaculate Conception Parish (Pasig Cathedral) dates to 1573, and the town hosted an active Katipunan chapter. In 1975, with Metro Manila’s formation, it joined the NCR, ending its role as Rizal’s capital.
Challenges and Controversies
- Flooding in low-lying barangays and along the Manggahan Floodway.
- Heavy traffic on C-5, EDSA, and Ortigas Avenue.
- Disputes over informal settler relocation and riverside zoning.